Abstract: A method and formulation are shown for capping the exposed surface of an aggregate of materials, such as exposed land areas with fine particulate mining wastes. A mineral formulation is prepared by mixing together lime, a pozzolanic component, a sulfate component, a cellulosic component and water. The mineral formulation is applied to the exposed aggregate and is allowed to harden to form a surface coating thereon. A seed component or a coloring additive can be incorporated within the slurry for revegetating land areas and to enhance the esthetic appearance of the hardened cap.

Abstract: A method and formulation are shown for capping dust-emitting bulk materials, such as materials being conveyed in open rail cars. A mineral formulation is prepared by mixing together lime, a pozzolanic component, a sulfate component, a fibrous component and water. The mineral formulation is applied to the surface of the dust-emitting bulk material and is allowed to harden to form a surface coating thereon.

Abstract: An invention is shown in which a quicklime is hydrated in the presence of a special chemical modifier to produce a controlled temperature hydrate having improved plastic properties and greater surface areas.

Abstract: A method is shown for reducing the swelling action of sulfates in clay bearing soils while increasing the bearing strength values of the soils by treating soils having high sulfate content with a barium containing compound in an amount effective to react with the sulfate present in the soils, thereby forming less soluble reaction products and decreasing the tendency of the soil to form ettringite. The soil is further stabilized by the application of lime.

Abstract: A method is shown for capping a tailings pond of the type which receives fines-containing aqueous effluent from an industrial process. A mineral formulation is prepared by mixing together lime, a pozzolanic component, a sulfate component and water. The mineral formulation is applied to the surface of the fines-containing tailings pond and is allowed to harden to form a surface coating on the tailings pond.

Abstract: A binder composition is shown for agglomerating ore fines in a heap leaching ore recovery process. The binder composition comprises a calcareous component, a sulfate component and a siliceous-aluminous component such as fly ash. The ore fines are agglomerated by adding the binder composition thereto and a leach bed is formed of the agglomerated ore. The leach bed is leached with a leaching agent to form a leach liquor the metal values are recovered from the leach liquor.